Songs of Haze

Researchers at LJMU claim chart topping singers, such as Katy Perry and Rihanna, do not raise enough awareness about the negative side effects of binge drinking.

A new report, published in the scientific journal Psychology of Music, blames American R’n’B songs for wrongly promoting binge drinking without dealing with the associated health risks, such as hangovers.

The report claims a fifth of pop songs contain references to alcohol and the number of ‘binge songs’ has increased from 8% in 2001 to 18.5% in 2011.

Lyrics from Katy Perry’s ‘Last Friday Night’ and Rihanna’s ‘What’s My Name?’ have caused concern amongst researchers for their explicit references to excessive alcohol consumption.

The line “There’s a stranger in my bed, there’s a pounding in my head” is just one of these distressing examples.

Researcher Katie Hardcastle, from LJMU, said: “The lyrics generally put a positive spin on alcohol consumption.  Drinking is linked to confidence, gregariousness or physical attractiveness, as well as a wealth, success, or sex.

“Chart-topping singers voice the negative effects of alcohol on health and well-being far less frequently.”

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